Shield shaped wooden plaque meas. approx. 6.25 inches across the top by 7.75 inches long by 0.75 of an inch thick.

At center of the plaque is a brass disc with a full color blue and gray Yin Yang insignia surrounded by “29^th DIVISION ASSOCIATION” in blue on a plain brass background. The plaque has two small engraved Lucite tags, one above the Division insignia and one below it. The upper tag reads “PRESENTED BY 29^TH DIV. ASS’N. DEPT. OF MARYLAND” and the lower reads “TO MAJ. GENERAL C. H. GERHARDT COMMANDING GENERAL 29^TH DIV. WORLD WAR #2.”

The surface of the plaque shows some light crazing where the original wood stain has aged and the last five letters in the word “ASSOCIATION” show light wear. The reverse is covered with a green leather that is in good condition. The plaque comes with a wire attached ready to hang on the wall.

The 29th Infantry Division served in both of the World Wars and was made up of Pennsylvania and Maryland National Guardsman.

In World War One the division saw action in the Muse-Argonne campaign.

During World War Two the Division is famous for leading the assault at Omaha Beach on D-Day June 6, 1944. Throughout World War Two the Division was led by General Charles H. Gerhardt.

Charles Hunter Gerhardt was born in Lebanon, Tennessee on June 6, 1895. He graduated from West Point in 1917 and during World War One served as a staff officer in the 89^th Division in France and by the war’s end in 1918 he was an aide-de-camp to the Division’s commanding general.

When World War Two began Gerhardt was commanding the 56^th Cavalry Brigade. He was promoted to major general in August of 1942 and given command of the 91^st Infantry Division. He trained the 91^st at Camp White, Oregon until July of 1943 when he was given command of the 29^th Division which he led on D-day and through the rest of the war.

Following the war Gerhardt served as the United States Defense Attaché to Brazil and in a post at Fort Meade, Maryland. He reattained the rank of brigadier general and was able to retire at his highest held rank of major general.

General Gerhardt died on October 9, 1976 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  [ad] [ph:L]

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